WASHINGTON (Feb. 2, 2012)—A new book from National Geographic celebrating animal mothers and the love they have for their offspring will be published this spring. MOTHER’S LOVE: Inspiring True Stories from the Animal Kingdom (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0922-2; on-sale date: March 27, 2012; $9.95 hardcover), by Melina Gerosa Bellows, with a foreword by actress Kate Hudson, features heartwarming tales that show there is no stronger power on Earth than a mother’s love, even among our winged and four-footed friends.

From a mother duck who tugged at a pedestrian’s pant leg with her beak to get help for her ducklings who had fallen through a sewer grate to an elephant that stood on her hind legs to lift her baby to safety in a flooded river to the cat that ran into a burning building five times to rescue her month-old kittens — despite singed fur, scorched ears and blistered eyes — MOTHER’S LOVE tells of heroic and touching animal feats that prove humans are not the only ones who go to elaborate lengths for the sake of their young.

In her introduction, Gerosa Bellows writes, “Perhaps these stories touch me so deeply because they illus¬trate the common bond of moth¬erhood. They show that mothers are mothers, no matter what species. Animals and humans alike have the natural ability to distinguish the unique cry of their own offspring from the cry of other babies. We are hardwired to love, protect, and care for our young. After all, the survival of each of our species depends on it.

“Whether you choose to call that maternal bond love or instinct, these stories are nothing short of amazing. Each gives evidence of not only the instincts of motherhood but of other traits as well. Strength, tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, selflessness, perseverance, courage, resourcefulness — what human mother wouldn’t aspire to qualities so admirable? Mother Nature has raised her daughters well.”

Also included in book are beautiful photographs and fun factoids about motherhood in the animal kingdom, such as “If hippos are born underwater, the mother nudges the newborn to the water’s surface so it can breathe,” and “Born the size of honeybees, opossums live in their mother’s pouch for two months before seeing the world on her back.”

Whether for Mother’s Day, the arrival of a new baby or just to say “I love you, Mom,” this affordable, inspirational gift book is a perfect way to celebrate the love of mothers everywhere.

About the Author
Melina Gerosa Bellows is executive vice president and chief creative officer for National Geographic Books, Kids and Family, which includes the award-winning, No. 1 children’s magazine National Geographic Kids. In addition to authoring five books, she has written for numerous publications, including Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Cosmopolitan and Glamour. She has appeared on such TV shows as “Today,” “The View,” “Good Day New York” and “Fox and Friends” as well as on CNN.